Patterns Of Structural And Functional Lung Abnormalities And Associated Factors Among Post Covid-19 Survivors On Follow up At Yeka Kotebe General Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Summary Background: Post COVID-19 syndrome is a wide range of new, returning or ongoing health problems in people who had covid 19 disease. This, post covid 19 syndromes seen to affect every system of the body among which respiratory, neurologic and cardiovascular condition is the commonest and it is becoming the emerging public health priority. However, the magnitude & distribution of this condition is not well known in African population and particularly in Ethiopia. Objective: To describe patterns of structural and functional lung abnormalities and associated factors among post covid-19 survivors on follow at Yeka Kotobe General Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Methods: A descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from March 1/2022 – May 30/2022. Convenience sampling technique was used and all patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were included. Data was collected using pre-prepared checklist by interviewing participants and from their medical record. Collected data was entered, cleaned and analyzed using statical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 25. Multivariable logistic regression between dependent and independent variables were performed to identify factors associated with functional and structural lung abnormalities. Results: A total of 120 post covid 19 patients were assessed. Overall cumulative functional and structural lung abnormality were seen in 77(64.25%) of post COVID 19 patients. Thirty-one patients (25.8%) had more than one post covid 19 sign and symptoms. Dyspnea was the most common symptom reported by 58(48.3%) participants followed by severe fatigue, 45(37.5%) and chronic cough, 24(20.0%). Forty-four (36.6%, n=120) participants had resting oxygen saturation < 93% and 10(8.3%) were tachypneic during the interview. Only 30 participants had repeat chest Ct scan/ x-ray during post COVID 19 period and 24(80%) had some form of residual parenchymal lung abnormality mainly, bilateral parenchymal fibrotic changes. Older age, longer hospital stays and raised creatinine during admission found to increase risk of functional & structural lung abnormality among post covid 19 patients. Conclusion and recommendations: Respiratory system dysfunction manifested by pulmonary symptoms and structural lung abnormality are common in patients who recovered from acute covid-19 illness. As a result, COVID-19’s long-term consequences should not be neglected, as they may lead to increased morbidity, consumption of financial resources, and increased health system burden. Therefore, discrete screening especially those with high risk profile, assessment, appropriate investigation and providing evidence-based treatment for post COVID 19 patients is mandatory to reduce long term respiratory impact.